Overview

Fire alone can save our clan...

Fireheart's traitorous enemy Tigerclaw has been vanquished and exiled from ThunderClan -- but Fireheart can't shake the feeling that he's lurking out there in the forest, waiting for the chance to strike.

That's not the only problem facing the young ThunderClan deputy in these blazing summer months, as he struggles to handle ominous omens, adisrespectful apprentice with a ...

More About
This Book

Overview

Fire alone can save our clan...

Fireheart's traitorous enemy Tigerclaw has been vanquished and exiled from ThunderClan -- but Fireheart can't shake the feeling that he's lurking out there in the forest, waiting for the chance to strike.

That's not the only problem facing the young ThunderClan deputy in these blazing summer months, as he struggles to handle ominous omens, adisrespectful apprentice with a shocking secret, and a devastated Clan leader who is a shell of her former self.

Fireheart, the warrior cat, faces many challenges in his new role of ThunderClan deputy as his apprentice, Cloudpaw, resists following the warrior code, Bluestar weakens, and Tigerclaw continues to haunt the forest seeking revenge.

Editorial Reviews

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“[A] fast-moving series. The story is suspenseful; the feline characters are engaging and endowed with authentic cat mannerisms and behaviors.”

Children's Literature

Book 4 of the "Warriors" series finds the stalwart cat hero Fireheart with his paws full once more. Will his kittypet nephew Cloudpaw shape up as a Thunderclan apprentice? Will the clan's aging leader Bluestar get her act together or succumb to feline Alzheimer's? What will be the effect of the unusual heat and drought? And most pertinently, is the traitor warrior still Tigerclaw lying in wait? This "created by" a corporation series forges on relentlessly, but because a year or two has passed since its first episode, it is necessary to take into account the prolific nature of feral cats. Already it is becoming a burden to work through the clan genealogies, not to mention the succession of leaders as they drop like flies to warfare and treachery. Where is the Animal Humane Society when you really need it? 2004, HarperCollins, Ages 8 to 12.
—Kathleen Karr

VOYA

Once a pampered "kittypet" (housecat), Fireheart is now deputy leader of ThunderClan, one of four groups of forest-dwelling, feral cats. Clan leader Bluestar lies lethargically in her den, traumatized by the treachery of her previous deputy, Tigerclaw, and the threat to the clan from his band of rogues. Fireheart struggles to defend ThunderClan territory, find his own runaway apprentice, and convince the other warriors that he is worthy of their trust. When fire threatens the forest, Fireheart must lead his band to safety, only to face Tigerclaw's renewed bid for power. The life of a feral cat is perilous indeed in this fourth volume of the Warriors series. Violence and death are common, and the complex story with its large cast of characters can be challenging to follow. Although this installment can stand alone, its many references to past episodes require the unfamiliar reader to puzzle out what came before. Nevertheless animal lovers will be drawn to this band of cats. The idea that a creature regarded as a pet can have a complex, danger-filled, independent existence is intriguing. The series lacks the quirky humor of Brian Jacques's Redwall series or the depth of Ratha's Creature (Atheneum/S & S, 1983/VOYA October 1983) and sequels by Clare Bell. But the series shares the appeal of an intricate society hidden from humankind, with its own history and code of conduct. Go ahead and buy the whole series. VOYA Codes: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, HarperCollins, 336p., and PLB Ages 11 to 15.
—Kathleen Beck

Erin Hunter is inspired by a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior. She is also the author of the bestselling Warriors and Seekers series.

Biography

Erin Hunter is the nom de plume of three British writers who create enthralling, animal-centric YA fantasies in the tradition of Brian Jacques's Redwall books. In 2003, they launched their bestselling Warriors series with Into the Wild, the story of a domesticated kitten who leaves the comforts of his human home to join a family of feral cats living in the woods. Introducing a captivating world where rival cat clans struggle for survival, the book was an immediate sensation with animal- and adventure-loving preteens. Since its debut, Warriors has become a genuine publishing phenomenon, spawning a string of six-book miniseries, each with its own distinct story arc.

The Erin Hunter collaboration is an unusual but highly successful one. Characters and story ideas emanate from editor Victoria Holmes, who keeps track of previous plot lines, ensures continuity, and coordinates the details of a complex and growing cast of characters. Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry take turns writing individual books; then everything is vetted again through Holmes, who checks carefully to make sure the stories are told in a single, unified voice. With different writing styles at work, this would seem a daunting task. However, in a 2006 interview, Holmes explained her modus operandi: "I think of it as being able to "speak Erin Hunter", like speaking a different language, and after working on [so many] scripts, I know pretty much at once if a line or phrase doesn't sound right."

Although the Erin Hunter books are written for young readers, they do not shy away from difficult material. The animals face life-threatening dangers and experience pain, grief, and loss -- sometimes even treachery within their own ranks. But the authors are always careful to reinforce positive messages about family, friendship, loyalty, and love. Independently, Holmes, Cary, and Baldry stay busy with their own writing and editing projects; but in 2008, they reunited for a second animal fantasy series. Seekers: The Quest Begins features a trio of bears from different species (black, polar, and grizzly), who join together for an adventure-filled odyssey that will change their lives forever.

Good To Know

Fun facts about "Erin Hunter" and the Warrior books, plus advice for aspiring writers: Cherith Baldry and Kate Cary have always loved cats -- and writing fantasy stories! Cherith is particularly interested in the stories of King Arthur, with all those glorious battles, knights, and a courtly code of behavior. Kate is fascinated by animal interaction and the way you can read all sorts of hidden motivation into what cats do. She's also not afraid of describing the goriest scenes!

Says Victoria Holmes, "I love being one of the Erins and frequently dream of being a cat running through a forest when I am coming up with new story lines. Teaming up with Kate and Cherith on the Warriors books is an unconventional way of working, but we love writing the books together and it means we can produce them much faster than a single writer could."

They came up with the single name, Erin Hunter, to avoid confusing their readers by having books from the same series filed in different places on the bookshelves.

Erin's advice for aspiring writers: "Read, read, and read some more! Make sure you read a wide variety of stories: fantasy stories teach you about making up completely new worlds, crime-solving stories teach you about handling a complicated plot, stories with lots of characters teach you how to describe relationships. Also, write as many stories as you can, even if no one else reads them. And remember that the best inspiration comes from what's around you -- Kate and Cherith go for long walks through the woods to find new locations for the cats to explore. They also spend hours watching their cats -- and other people -- to see how they behave in certain situations."

Erin Hunter is the pseudonym for three writers: Cherith Baldry, Kate Cary, and Victoria Holmes

Hometown:

All three writers live in the U.K.

Read an Excerpt

Warriors #4: Rising StormChapter One

Warm shafts of sun shine streamed through the canopy of leaves and flickered over Fireheart's pelt. He crouched lower, aware that his coat would be glowing amber among the lush green undergrowth.

Paw by paw, he crept beneath a fern. He could smell a pigeon. He moved slowly toward the mouth watering scent until he could see the plump bird pecking among the ferns.

Fireheart flexed his claws, his paws itching with anticipation. He was hungry after leading the dawn patrol and hunting all morning. This was the high season for prey, a time for the Clan to grow fat on the forest's bounty. And although there had been little rain since the new leaf floods, the woods were rich with food. After stocking the fresh-kill pile back at camp, it was time for Fireheart to hunt for himself. He tensed his muscles, ready to leap.

Suddenly a second scent wafted toward him on the dry breeze. Fireheart opened his mouth, tipping his head to one side. The pigeon must have smelled it too, for its head shot up and it began to unfold its wings, but it was too late. A rush of white fur shot out from under some brambles. Fireheart stared in surprise as the cat pounced on the startled bird, pinning it to the ground with his front paws before finishing it off with a swift bite to the neck.

The delicious smell of fresh-kill filled Fireheart's nostrils. He stood up and padded out of the undergrowth toward the fluffy white tom. "Well caught, Cloudpaw," he meowed. "I didn't see you coming until it was too late."

Fireheart felt hisshoulders tense. Cloudpaw was his apprentice as well as his sister's son. It was Fireheart's responsibility to teach him the skills of a Clan warrior, and how to respect the warrior code. The young tom was undeniably a good hunter, but Fireheart couldn't help wishing that he would learn a little humility. Deep down, he sometimes wondered if Cloudpaw would ever understand the importance of the warrior code, the moons-old traditions of loyalty and ritual that had been passed down through generations of cats in the forest.

But Cloudpaw had been born in Twolegplace to Fireheart's kittypet sister, Princess, and brought to ThunderClan by Fireheart as a tiny kit. Fireheart knew from his own bitter experience that Clan cats had no respect for kittypets. Fireheart had spent his first six moons living with Twolegs, and there were cats in his Clan that would never let him forget the fact that he was not forest-born. He twitched his ears impatiently. He knew he did everything he could to prove his loyalty to the Clan, but his stubborn apprentice was a different matter. If Cloudpaw were going to win any sympathy from his Clan mates, he was going to have to lose some of his arrogance.

"It's just as well you're so quick," Fireheart pointed out. "You were upwind. I could smell you, even if I couldn't see you. And so could the bird."

Cloudpaw's long snowy fur bristled and he snapped back, "I know I was upwind! But I could tell this dumb dove wasn't going to be hard to catch whether he smelled me or not."

The young cat stared defiantly into Fireheart's eyes, and Fireheart felt his annoyance turning to anger. "It's a pigeon, not a dove!" he spat. "And a true warrior shows more respect for the prey that feeds his Clan."

"Yeah, right!" retorted Cloudpaw. "I didn't see Thornpaw show much respect for that squirrel he dragged back to camp yesterday. He said it was so dopey, a kit could have caught it."

"Thornpaw is just an apprentice," Fireheart growled. "Like you, he still has a lot to learn."

"I'm faster than Brightpaw and stronger than Thornpaw," Cloudpaw spat back. "What more do you want?"

"Your den-mates would know that a warrior never attacks with the wind behind him!" Fireheart knew he shouldn't let himself be drawn into an argument, but his apprentice's stubbornness infuriated him like a tick on his ear.

"Big deal. You might have been downwind like a good warrior, but I got to the pigeon first!" Cloudpaw raised his voice in an angry yowl.

"Be quiet," Fireheart hissed, suddenly distracted. He lifted his head and sniffed the air. The forest seemed strangely silent, and Cloudpaw's loud meows were echoing too loudly through the trees.

"Tigerclaw," Fireheart answered bluntly. The dark warrior had been prowling through his dreams since Bluestar had banished him from the Clan a quarter moon ago. Tigerclaw had tried to kill the ThunderClan leader, but Fireheart had stopped him and exposed his long-hidden treachery to the whole Clan. There had been no sign of Tigerclaw since, but Fireheart felt icy claws of fear pricking at his heart now as he listened to the stillness of the forest. It seemed to be listening too, holding its breath, and Tigerclaw's parting words echoed in Fireheart's mind: Keep your eyes open, Fireheart. Keep your ears pricked. Keep looking behind you. Because one day I'll find you, and then you'll be crow food. Cloudpaw's mew broke the silence. "What would Tigerclaw be doing around here?" he scoffed. "Bluestar exiled him!"

"I know," Fireheart agreed. "And only StarClan knows where he went. But Tigerclaw made it clear that we'd not seen the last of him!"

"I'm not scared of that traitor."

"Well, you should be!" hissed Fireheart. "Tigerclaw knows these woods as well as any cat in ThunderClan. He'd tear you to shreds if he got the chance."

Cloudpaw snorted and circled his catch impatiently. "You've been no fun since Bluestar made you deputy. I'm not hanging around if you're just going to waste the morning trying to scare me with nursery tales. I'm meant to be hunting for the Clan elders." And he dashed away into the brambles, leaving the lifeless pigeon lying on the earth.

"Cloudpaw, come back!" Fireheart yowled furiously. Then he shook his head. "Let Tigerclaw have the young mouse-brained idiot!" he muttered to himself.

Lashing his tail, he snatched up the pigeon and wondered whether to carry it back to camp for Cloudpaw. A warrior should be responsible for his own fresh-kill, he concluded, and tossed the pigeon into a thick clump of grass. He padded after it and flattened down the green stalks to cover the fat bird, wishing he could be sure that Cloudpaw would return and take it back with the rest of his catch to the hungry elders. If he doesn't bring it home with him, he can go hungry until he does, Fireheart decided. His apprentice had to learn that even in greenleaf, prey should never be wasted.

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ONLY A LOSER WOULD HATE IT!!!!

This is a great book!!!! I read it in one day, I couldn't put it down!!!! In my opinion, Erin Hunter is a great author, and I hope her books will just keep coming. I love cats, and these books are a fun and mythical explaination to why Cats act the way they do.

46 out of 47 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 12, 2004

LOVED THIS BOOK

I loved this book and this is probably the only book Ive cried in exept Where The Red Fern Grows. It is sad,exiting,and wonderful it reminds me of my dad the great and wonderful. If you havent read this you should. My opinion of Erin Hunter is the best auther ever and I hope her books never ends

37 out of 40 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 29, 2011

Warriors Rising Storm

This series is an action-packed one! However this book is not as exciting as the others. It is mostly preparing you for the next book. I still suggest this book to all.

For those who are rping, Ive started reporting/ flagging your posts as off-topic. This is for reviews!

22 out of 26 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted February 27, 2012

This is my Favorite in the First Series

Just finish this book last night and just start number five. i only cry once in this book and i always cry during animal book like Wolves of Beyond and Guardians of Ga'Hoole both by Kathryn Lasky and Warriors and Seekers!!!! LOVE THESE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I'M 16

20 out of 21 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 18, 2010

Great Series of Books

I love these books. They are great read even for adults. As a cat lover I love the fantasy world that Erin has created. Her stories are so imaginative. I adore the characters she has created.

20 out of 20 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted June 23, 2004

Rising Storm, the fourth out of the series

I loved this book! The ending is wierd but all the same, Awesome. The Warrior series rocks, its my favorite series. I can't believe I hadn't found it sooner. My friend told me about this series and I'm glad she did. I love Fireheart, Graystripe, and Mistyfoot!

17 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted April 11, 2012

Froststar

My name is Froststar and I am the leader of snowclan and I need a mate. I have a pure white pelt and when I was younger all the other cats would tease me about how I have two different colored eyes. One of them is a stunning midnight blue while the othe is a emerald green color.I need a mate who would be willing to come and live in snowclan too.Oh sorry I have to go. A certain apprentice is bugging me. What is it Flamepaw? I told you that past the river is their territory! They are not tresspassing! For Starclans sake! Dont you have some elder to bug!Rocktail! Please take control of your apprentice for once! I dont care if you are supposed to go on patrol! Icepelt take Rocktails place in the patrol.

12 out of 30 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 29, 2012

Love it

It really is amazing. It really has a twist and a exciting adventure through the forest and hills.

12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted May 11, 2012

Another great one

Another great book by Erin Hunter!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!

8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted March 13, 2012

Shut up

SHUT UP ABOUT YOUR STUPID FAKE CLANS ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7 out of 22 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted May 11, 2012

Please join!

My name is Saphirastar and i am the leadr of topaz clan. We need more members. We also need a medicence cat. We already have a deputy. Please join at warrior result one. We wull take any one no matter who you are or who your rrlated to unless you pose a threat to my clanmates. Pease join yhanks for reading

6 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted August 21, 2013

Anonymous

I love these books soo much I just can't stop myself from reading them over again! Love this book it has twists in it that makes you never want to put the book down!

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted June 25, 2013

Warriors rising storm

Tigerclaw has been banished from ThunderClan and is still lurking in the shadows ready for revenge

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted June 8, 2013

awesome!

Best book ever! A must-read!

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Warriors

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Anonymous

Posted March 22, 2012

Awesome

This book is awesome

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted April 12, 2013

Worriors

The author ,Erin Hunter was one of my favorites.My favorite character is FireHeart the deputy.

The leader,Bluestar is having a hard time of the shock of Tigerclaw turning against Thunder Clan & trying to kill Bluestar fully.

~ _____~{age :8}

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted March 28, 2012

Awesome!

I cant wait to read this book i bet u people who dont love this book r crazy bcause my mum wont buy me this stinkin book i am on my knees begging!

4 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 15, 2011

You must read warriors

I think the warriors series iss really cool it is really populer i have fallen in love with these books

4 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted March 16, 2014

Ravenkit part three

Ravenkit woke up in a pile of soft leaves and cobwebs on her wounds. " welcome to thunderclan young kit." Said one cat. Your very lucky we found you". My name is firestar and beside me is dustpelt." " we would like to hea your story." Said dustpelt. Ravenkit told them everything. " and now i guess im here." Said ravenkit. Dustpelt and firestars eyes widened. " your the survivor!" Said dustpelt speechless. Firestar was in deep thought until he said, " would you like something to eat?" Yes please." Said ravenkit she forgot she was STARVING! " dustpelt would you please give her something to eat?" Yes firestar." As he walked out. " welcome to thunderclan ravenkit." Said firestar amd he walked out into his den.

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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